10. Offshore wind
Are we still talking about offshore wind? Yes, we are. And for good reason. Yes, it’s off
the table now, but many feel that is not an always-and-forever decision. Gov. Phil
Murphy, its biggest champion, said in a wrap-up interview of his time as governor that
he hopes the sector is just on a pause.
Murphy insists offshore wind still is the best hand for a state that doesn’t have oil
reserves — but does have winds and an ocean shelf that is perfect to hold turbines.
President Trump doesn’t feel that way, but others industry leaders do. In June, while
filing paperwork to bring a half to the Atlantic Shores project, CEO Joris Veldhoven said
the company remains hopeful.
“This filing marks the closing of a chapter, but not the end for Atlantic Shores,” he said
in a statement. “Offshore wind continues to offer New Jersey a strong value proposition
that includes thousands of good paying jobs, stable power prices and real economic
benefits.”
Click here to read BINJE’s Year in Review 2025 Digital Edition
9. Electric Vehicles
This is an area we don’t understand. Like many others, we’d love to drive a hybrid
vehicle. It feels the logical step toward more electric cars.
The state’s attempted mandate to force residents to buy all-electric cars in just a few
short year — something consumers didn’t want and dealers couldn’t sell — never made
any sense. Thankfully, that mandate was cancelled in a big win for the search for
sensible solutions.
And we say this, saying it’s still OK to increase charging stations across the state. That
should have been the first step in the first place.
8. Solar
Now this makes sense. There’s not a lot of hype and hoopla, just a steady increase in
adaptation — without being forced to do so. And only if the economics add up — and
they don’t for every project.
Fortunately for New Jersey, we have Solar Landscape, recently named the No. 1
national rooftop commercial solar company.
Solar projects are popping up at a steady rate (see the Port, PGIM). And some are
pushing to reduce red tape, so there can be more. Murphy recently signed bills to
expand solar and energy storage.
7. Water
We’re not sure what the old line is, but it goes something like this: ‘Two-thirds of the
globe is covered in water.’
In New Jersey, that could be followed by a snarky line that says: ‘Two-thirds of that
water came from a leaky underground pipe.’
New Jersey does have too many towns with too many water systems that seemingly are
beyond repair — at least repair in a cost-effective way.
Fortunately, the state is home to American Water (and its subsidiary N.J. American
Water), both of which have been growing through expansion. American Water’s latest
acquisition is one of the biggest of the year.
6. Natural gas
Hello gas, my old friend. I’ve come to tap your pipes again.
In a time when the state is desperately searching for clean energy alternatives, some
are finding the original solution (remember, natural gas replaced coal) still works.
The head of one of the state’s top unions is pushing for it. Even Murphy came around,
as the state recently approved a permit for a key gas pipeline project.
Is it the complete solution for the future. Not by a long shot. But it certainly should be a
component of it. And while it is a highly political issue, natural gas also offers something
everyone can agree on: Workforce development.
5. Confidence
There are two things everyone can agree on: We have an energy problem — and we
have no good solutions to fix it. At least that’s what a recent survey by the NJBIA found.
An N.J. Utilities event found the same thing.
If we can agree on that, can we agree on this: Instead of trying to place blame for
skyrocketing costs, more energy (see what we did there) should be spent on being
honest about its origin. Only then can we find a solution.
4. Data centers
To be clear, the rise in data centers is not the cause of the rise in energy prices. They
are a hot topic though.
Outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy wants the state to be the center of the AI universe. But do
residents want to pay for them — or simply want to make operators pay more
(something not easily done)?
The good news: We have the bones necessary to be a hotbed for data centers, just not
the will or the way.
3. Alternatives
This brings us to the fun part of the list: Alternative energy solutions. Luckily, New
Jersey has some of the brightest minds in the sector. Here are just few ideas:
Rutgers is working on a pilot project to use hydrogen trucks at Port Newark.
SJI and Opal Fuels cut the ribbon on a renewable natural gas facility in Egg Harbor.
SJI is building a renewable energy project in Linden (with Captona and RNG Energy
Solutions) that will be one of the nation’s largest food waste-to-renewable natural gas
facilities.
And New Jersey Natural Gas is teaming with Carbon Reform to bring a pilot program of
their carbon capture and storage technology to its facility in Lakewood.
2. Tough talk
The always-thoughtful N.J. Utility Association detailed how the state needs to take
control of its energy destiny.
BPU Commissioner Zenon Christodoulou detailed why the state needs to create an
energy-first economy.
And others wondered if it’s time for big companies to buy their own energy — as in, their
own energy plants.
All of this paled in comparison to thoughts of PSEG Chairman Ralph LaRossa who
finally spoke out on the issue — and got right to the point: The current market rules are
not capable of delivering the power N.J. needs.
1. Day One
When Gov-elect Mikie Sherrill was candidate Mikie Sherrill, she was very clear on her
plan for energy: On Day One, she is going to declare an energy emergency.
Her team has said the governor will push utilities to do their part.
Everyone eagerly awaits her actions.
